British sports reporter Charlie Webster has been placed into a medically-induced coma and is on life support in a Rio hospital after contracting a rare strain of malaria while covering the 2016 Summer Olympics.
According to the BBC, the 33-year-old Webster arrived in Rio after participating in a six-week, 3,000-mile "Ride to Rio" charity bicycle ride across Brazil. But she complained of dehydration during the Opening Ceremony on Aug. 5.
Made it! Incredible 3000 mile journey to get here...overwhelmed! #RidetoRio pic.twitter.com/hbJpEq4m4D
— Charlie Webster (@CharlieCW) August 4, 2016
Webster was hospitalized and tweeted an update on her condition on Aug. 8 after she seemed to be on the mend.
I'm getting there...awful few days with serious infection #Rio pic.twitter.com/ZvZxIRiGNp
— Charlie Webster (@CharlieCW) August 9, 2016
But Webster's condition deteriorated when she began experiencing complications from the rare strain. News of Webster being placed on life support was delivered Thursday.
TV presenter #CharlieWebster's agent confirms she is being treated for a rare strain of malaria & is in a coma and on life support in #Rio
— Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) August 18, 2016
Webster is from Sheffield, England. She has worked for ESPN, as well as Sky Sports, BBC and Channel 4 in the UK. She has also written for the Huffington Post.
She is also quite an athlete, as she has run numerous marathons, including in New York and London. She has also completed the London Triathalon.
